KOTA KINABALU: Ng Sui Yee started her popcorn business with a small kiosk in Donggongon in 2022, earning about RM100 a day.
Three years later, her business, Rich Maju Holdings, was making more than RM500,000 a year.
Now, the One Moreee-branded popcorn business has received two new processing machines worth RM642,230 under the SME-UP Grant to increase its production capacity and productivity.
Ng is one of four local entrepreneurs whose enterprises received machinery and equipment worth RM1.167 million from the State Government through the Industrial Development and Research Department (DIDR).
Deputy Chief Minister III and Industrial Development, Entrepreneurship and Transportation Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who visited the enterprises to see their development, said Ng’s success story could inspire others to venture into business.
“Sui Yee’s success story, from operating a small kiosk to running a new factory, should inspire other entrepreneurs.
“The machinery assistance received is now being used to further increase the enterprise’s productivity,” he said.
Ewon also visited Dir Rich Global Enterprise, a layer-cake enterprise run by siblings Dirar and Talhah.
“I always encourage such synergy, where entrepreneurs help one another in building an entrepreneurial chain,” he said.
DIDR provided RM29,410 in SME-UP assistance to the enterprise to purchase machinery and equipment.
At Sri Mas Foods Industries, which produces fish and meatballs, burgers, dim sum and pau, Ewon said the enterprise received RM106,000 in SME-UP assistance to buy machinery and equipment.
“I was informed that after the machines were fully utilised, the enterprise’s productivity increased by 30 per cent,” he said.
During his visit to C&S Tasty Bakery, Ewon said the enterprise received RM390,000 to buy packaging and bread-cutting machines.
He said the machines, which arrived about three weeks ago and were undergoing operational testing, were expected to increase productivity by between two and three times.
Ewon also officiated the new premises of RDS Juta Food Industries in Kampung Teguli, Putatan, which produces dim sum.
Its owner, Rafidah Jumahad, was a recipient of the Sabah Industry Excellence Award (AKIS) 2024/2025. The enterprise now employs 20 workers and records annual sales of up to RM1.4 million.
The five entrepreneur-led companies visited by Ewon and supported by DIDR have created employment opportunities for 174 local workers.
Sri Mas employs 90 workers, C&S 48, Rich Maju and Dir Rich eight each, while RDS employs 20. – Wu Vuide
Ewon (second, right), presenting SME-UP Grant to Ng.
